Draft:Early Echoic Skills Assessment

The Early Echoic Skills Assessment and Program Planner (EESAPP) is an assessment and skills-tracking system designed to evaluate the early echoic or vocal imitation skills of children with autism or other developmental disabilities. Developed by Dr. Barbara Esch, the EESAPP helps to identify the strengths and weaknesses in a child's ability to imitate speech sounds and provides a framework for planning individualized intervention programs. The EESAPP is utilized by behavior analysts, speech-language pathologists, and special educators to guide intervention planning, track skill acquisition, and provide feedback to parents and caregivers.

Development
The EESAPP is based on the principles of Verbal Behavior analysis, specifically focusing on echoic behavior as described by B. F. Skinner. The assessment was created by Dr. Barbara Esch, a speech and language pathologist with expertise in both speech pathology and applied behavior analysis (ABA). Dr. Esch also contributed to the development of the Early Echoic Skills Assessment (EESA), which is incorporated into the Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) to evaluate the early vocal imitation skills of children in collaboration with Dr. Mark Sundberg. The VB-MAPP uses the EESA to assess echoic behavior as part of its broader evaluation of language and social skills in children with autism and other developmental disabilities.

The EESA was originally incorporated into the VB-MAPP in 2008. It underwent adjustments in 2014 to better align with evolving research and practices in the field of verbal behavior analysis. In 2023, Dr. Esch released a standalone version known as the Early Echoic Skills Assessment and Program Planner, which includes comprehensive guides and protocols for assessing and planning interventions for echoic skills.

Usage
The EESAPP is primarily used by behavior analysts, speech-language pathologists, and special educators to assess and develop echoic skills in children with autism and other developmental disabilities. It is designed to be used by professionals trained in ABA and verbal behavior analysis to guide intervention planning, track skill acquisition, and provide feedback to parents and other caregivers.

Features
The EESAPP includes a detailed scoring protocol and a comprehensive user guide. The main components of the EESAPP are:
 * Early Echoic Skills Assessment: Evaluates the child's ability to imitate speech sounds and sequences of sounds.
 * Program Planner: Provides a framework for developing individualized intervention programs based on the assessment results.
 * Scoring Criteria: Offers detailed guidelines for scoring the child's performance on various echoic tasks.

The assessment is structured to evaluate echoic skills at different developmental levels, ensuring that it can be tailored to the needs of each individual child.

Comparison to other assessments
The Early Echoic Skills Assessment and Program Planner (EESAPP) differs from other language assessments in several ways:

Focus on Echoic Behavior: Unlike the VB-MAPP and ABLLS, which cover a broad range of language and learning skills, EESAPP specifically targets echoic behavior. This focus helps practitioners address the foundational aspects of verbal behavior more effectively.

Detailed Echoic Analysis: EESAPP provides a granular analysis of echoic skills, making it more precise in identifying and addressing deficits in this area.

Research and Evidence: Studies have shown that early intervention in echoic skills can significantly impact overall language development. EESAPP’s targeted approach aligns with this research, offering practical benefits in ABA settings.

Application in Various Settings: EESAPP is particularly useful in early childhood education and interventions, where echoic skills are critical for further language development.

Table Comparison

Advantages and disadvantages of the early echoic skills assessment (EESAPP)
Advantages

Targeted Focus: Specifically assesses echoic behavior, providing detailed insights into a critical aspect of verbal development.

Precision: Offers a granular analysis of echoic skills, allowing for targeted interventions.

Evidence-Based: Aligns with research showing the importance of early echoic skill development for overall language acquisition.

Early Intervention: Useful in early childhood education settings, facilitating timely and effective interventions.

Disadvantages

Limited Scope: Focuses primarily on echoic behavior, potentially overlooking other important aspects of language and communication.

Specialized Use: May require additional assessments to get a comprehensive view of a child's language abilities. Resource Intensive: Detailed analysis might require more time and expertise compared to broader assessments.

Cultural and Linguistic Limitations: Primarily designed for English-speaking, American contexts, which may limit its applicability in other cultural and linguistic settings.

Use in research
The EESAPP has been utilized in various research studies to measure the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving echoic skills in children with autism. These studies have been published in journals such as the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, demonstrating the assessment's reliability and validity in both clinical and research settings:


 * A study published in 2024 evaluated the effectiveness of the EESAPP in assessing and improving echoic behavior in children with developmental delays.


 * Schreibman, L., Dawson, G., Stahmer, A.C., Landa, R., Rogers, S.J., McGee, G.G., Kasari, C., Ingersoll, B., Kaiser, A.P., Bruinsma, Y., Wetherby, A., & Halladay, A. (2015). "Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions: Empirically validated treatments for autism spectrum disorder." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(8), 2411-2428. DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2407-8. Available at: PMC7808702
 * Esch, B.E., LaLonde, K.B., & Esch, J.W. (2010). "Speech and language assessment: A verbal behavior analysis."  The Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis , 5, 166–191.
 * Charania, S.M., LeBlanc, L.A., Sabanathan, N., Ktaetch, I.A., Carr, J.E., & Gunby, K. (2010). "Teaching effective hand raising to children with autism during group instruction." Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43, 493–497.
 * Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT). "Increasing articulation." Available at: ASAT Online.
 * Esch, B.E. (2008). "Early Echoic Skills Assessment." In Sundberg, M. (2008).  VB-MAPP: Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program A Language and Social Skills Assessment Program for Children with Autism Or Other Developmental Disabilities: Guide .
 * Barbera, M. (Host). (2022). "Interview with Dr. Barbara Esch." Mary Barbera's Podcast. Available at: Mary Barbera's Podcast.
 * Behavioral Observations Podcast (2022). "How to Assess Early Echoic Skills: Session 253 with Barbara Esch." Available at: Behavioral Observations.
 * ABA Speech Podcast (2023). "Episode #145: Early Echoic Skills with Dr. Barbara E. Esch." Available at: ABA Speech.
 * Dissertation: "Assessment of Basic Learning Abilities: Predicting the Acquisition of Echoic Behavior": Discusses predicting the acquisition of echoic behavior among children with autism. Available at Central Michigan University Scholarly & Creative Works.